Pemberley Celebrations - the First Year

by Kara Louise

  “What do you have there, Mr. Adams?”

  “The last bushel of apples from Pemberley’s trees, Mrs. Darcy. We picked the remaining ones today, just in time for Michaelmas!”

  She reached in and quickly snatched one of the bright red pieces of fruit. “I do so look forward to our meal that day!” She laughed and looked at the apple. “The thought of a delicious fattened goose and baked apples makes my mouth water just thinking about it!”

  “A wonderful time of year, to be sure. Harvest is done and the days are getting cooler and shorter.”

  He made a quick bow and walked into the house.

  Michaelmas. It brought a smile to her face as she recollected the gossip that began circulating in her country neighbourhood in Hertfordshire two years ago. A gentleman will be moving into Netherfield before Michaelmas. This bit of news stirred the single women and their mothers within a five-mile radius into a period of hopeful expectation. Little did she realize what momentous change his arrival would bring to her life.

  As she took the steps up to the massive door, she bit her lip and paused. Her mother believed that Mr. Bingley, the man who was at the heart of all the speculation, would – without question – want to marry one of her daughters. It prompted her to laugh as she contemplated how her mother’s fervent wish had come true. The fact that Elizabeth had married the gentleman who had accompanied him, a man worth ten thousand a year, as word about him spread, was something her mother never would have imagined.

  She stepped into the house and almost collided with Georgiana.

  “Did you hear the news?” the young girl asked; her eyes widened with excitement.

  “I suppose I have not,” Elizabeth replied. “At least, I have not heard anything of late which would provoke such enthusiasm!”

  Georgiana blushed. “Pray, forgive me. It is just… our cousin Richard is coming! He shall be here next week for Michaelmas!”

  Elizabeth took Georgiana’s arm, and they walked into the house. “That is good news. Was he able to get some time off from his military duties?”

  Georgiana nodded. “Richard almost always comes at Michaelmas, but the past two years he did not because my brother was in Hertfordshire.”

  “He certainly was!” laughed Elizabeth. “Two years ago he and Mr. Bingley had just arrived into our little neighbourhood.”

  “And last year, I believe he returned to Hertfordshire to ascertain whether the feelings of one particular lady had changed.”

  Elizabeth put her arm about the young girl in a friendly hug. “And fortunately, they had!”

  She cast a sidelong glance at the young girl, noting how her face seemed to light up when she talked about her cousin. “Tell me, Georgiana, what do the two men do when he comes?” Elizabeth leaned in towards her, and in a conspiratorial manner asked, “Do they sequester themselves away to play at billiards or do they go off from sunrise to sunset on a hunt?”

  “Oh, Richard insists that the hunting on the grounds of Pemberley is better than anywhere else. He likes to come at Michaelmas so he can have the first and best opportunity at bringing down a bird or snagging a deer.” She let out a giggle. “But in the evenings one will usually find them at billiards.” After a pause she added, “I often watch them play, and he is very good. I think he is a better player than my brother.”

  Elizabeth raised a single brow. “I look forward to seeing him again.”

  “I can hardly wait. It has been too long.”

  Elizabeth left Georgiana to find her husband, who she thought was in the library. The door was open, but when she walked in, he was not there. She then went to his study, again finding the room empty. She pinched her brows together as she contemplated where he might be.

  She walked down one of the long hallways and soon heard the clacking of billiard balls. She stepped in and saw her husband bent over eyeing a shot. She remained silent until he had taken it.

  “Drat!” he exclaimed, when the balls went every direction but into a pocket. He gave the cue stick a sharp pound onto the ground. “I am so out of practice, he shall trounce me roundly and I shall never hear the end of it!”

  “Fitzwilliam?”

  Darcy jumped, startled.

  “Elizabeth, what brings you here?”

  Elizabeth walked over to the billiard table and placed her hands upon the edge. “Georgiana tells me Richard is coming in a week.”

  “Yes, I just received his letter. He has not been to Pemberley in over two years and is anxious to come. He normally comes at Michaelmas, but was unable to last year.”

  Darcy pulled a few balls from the pocket and released them onto the table. He then walked around the table and leaned over to eye a shot.

  “Yes,” Elizabeth said with a sly look. “I believe the last two years at this time you were visiting a confined and unvarying neighbourhood.”

  He lifted his eyes to her with an impassioned plea. “Elizabeth, will you ever forget all those insolent things I said?”

  Elizabeth walked over and stood at his side, coming down to eye the shot alongside of him. “You know I love to tease you and I mean nothing by it.”

  “Good! But I would still feel better if they were not mentioned.”

  “Mmm,” Elizabeth said. “I do not think that is best.”

  “Not best? How can you say that?”

  “No, I mean the shot. Not from here, but perhaps…” Elizabeth walked to the far end of the table. “I believe from here you could easily get the four ball into that corner pocket.”

  Darcy narrowed his eyes and let out a barely audible grumble. “No, I think this is easier.”

  Elizabeth bit her lip to prevent her from directly contradicting his opinion.

  He leaned over to line up the cue ball, eyeing it carefully, but then stood up abruptly. “Perhaps you are right.”

  Darcy came to Elizabeth’s side. “Do you know that two years ago I almost did not accompany Bingley?”

  “To Netherfield?”

  Darcy nodded. “Fitzwilliam has come every year at Michaelmas. I tried to put Bingley off, but he pleaded with me that he wanted my opinion of Netherfield.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and she wondered what may have transpired if he had not come when he had. Very softly, she said, “I am glad you did come.”

  He leaned down again to line up the shot, but glanced up at Elizabeth. “Perhaps if I had not come when I did, things may have turned out differently.”

  “Oh, I do not even want to consider it!”

  Darcy leaned over the cue stick. “Are you quite sure this is the best shot?”

  “If it were not for this baby here,” she laughed, patting her stomach, “I would take the shot myself!”

  Darcy shook his head. “How did you come to know so much about billiards? You never told me you played!”

  Elizabeth grimaced. “Well, I am certainly not proficient, but I have never mentioned it because you might think that billiards is not something a lady should claim as one of her finer accomplishments.”

  Narrowing his eyes and cradling his jaw with his hand, he asked, “Where did you learn to play?”

  A wry smile appeared. “My Aunt and Uncle Phillips have a billiards table. When we visited, I would watch my older cousins play and took an interest in the game. Eventually I talked my cousins into teaching me to play and found I had rather a natural ability.”

  Darcy stood silent, his eyes still narrowed.

  “Are you displeased?” she asked, walking up and fingering the collar of his shirt.

  “Not that you play billiards, but that you did not tell me. If it were not for your condition, I would ask you to play right now!” He took her fingers and brought them up to his lips.

  Darcy then began walking around the table pulling out all the balls that had been pocketed. “I am so out of practice. I know when Richard comes, he will mercilessly tease me because of how poorly I now play!”

  “He would not do such a thing!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

 
“Oh, yes, he would,” Darcy replied, racking up the balls into the triangle. “Now, shall we see if I can even remember how to break?”

  *~*~*

  As the last few days of September and Michaelmas grew near, the preparations for Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arrival went unnoticed by Elizabeth. His arrival seemed to be a more welcomed anticipation by the staff than a dreaded imposition. The only difference she saw was in Georgiana, who seemed to brighten with any mention of him, but blushed and stammered when she spoke of him. Elizabeth thought it odd that she had not noticed behaviour like this when they had seen him at Rosings this past Easter.

  At length, the day of Fitzwilliam’s arrival was at hand. Darcy was away from home most of the day, accompanying his steward who was collecting the quarterly rents from Pemberley’s tenants. He always took the time to visit a few of them to check on how they were doing.

  Elizabeth and Georgiana sat together in the sitting room awaiting the Colonel’s arrival. Elizabeth’s hands rested on her belly, and she smiled each time her little one moved.

  Several times Georgiana casually stood up and walked to the window. To Elizabeth’s keen eye, she appeared to be anxious for her cousin’s arrival, but avoided even speaking his name. She talked about every subject except the one that seemed most pressing upon her mind. Elizabeth wondered how much he might be pressing upon her heart, as well.

  At length, Elizabeth leaned her head back and closed her eyes. It was only a few minutes before a gasp from Georgiana awakened her.

  “There is a carriage! I wonder if… who could it be?”

  “I suppose,” said Elizabeth reaching out both arms to stretch, “that it is your cousin.”

  Already at the window and peering out, Georgiana replied, “Yes! He is here.” Without waiting for Elizabeth, she made haste for the door, holding her dress up a little so she would not stumble over it.

  Elizabeth let out a sigh and determined that she must observe the two of them very closely. As she walked out the door, she saw Georgiana slow her steps to a very graceful walk and smooth down her dress with her hands. She came to a stop just inside the door and waited.

  When Haywood opened the door, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam stepped in. His tall, muscular form filled the doorway, and his smile, almost as wide as his face, filled his eyes with mirth.

  “Georgiana!” he exclaimed, holding out his arms. “How is my little imp?”

  She held herself tall and walked slowly toward him, holding out a single hand. “I am quite well, Cousin. And yourself?”

  “Well I shall be much better if you put that hand of yours away and greet me with a hug!”

  Although Elizabeth could not see Georgiana’s face, she noticed a tint of blush spreading down her neck.

  When the Colonel looked up and noticed Elizabeth, he stepped away from Georgiana and approached her. “Elizabeth, it is good to see you again!” His eyes took in her large belly. “You are looking well, indeed!”

  “Thank you, Richard. I am delighted to see you again.” She walked toward him, and he embraced her much like he had done Georgiana. Elizabeth smiled. Perhaps there was only one person who needed to be watched.

  Elizabeth turned, and seeing Mrs. Reynolds approach, asked her to have some refreshment brought to the sitting room after showing their guest to his room.

  “No need for that! I can see myself to my chambers!” He looked to Mrs. Reynolds. “Good day, Mrs. Reynolds. I assume I have my normal room?”

  Mrs. Reynolds nodded her head. “I believe it is exactly as you last left it, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

  “Excellent!” He began walking toward the stairs. “I shall meet you in the sitting room in ten minutes.”

  He took the stairs, two at a time, with a footman following behind him with his bags.

  Elizabeth turned to Georgiana to suggest they go to the sitting room, and saw that the young girl was following the Colonel with her eyes, a smile frozen on her lips.

  Elizabeth took in a deep breath and walked up to her. Taking Georgiana’s arm gently, she said, “Shall we go and wait for his return?”

  “Oh! Yes!” Georgiana turned with Elizabeth towards the room. “He does look good, does he not? I think he looks particularly handsome in uniform!”

  “He is a handsome gentleman,” Elizabeth concurred softly. After a pause she added, “He has likely turned many a young lady’s head.” She bit her lip and glanced at Georgiana, who exhibited a slight wince.

  As they waited in the sitting room, Elizabeth reflected that earlier Georgiana had seemed preoccupied while waiting for the Colonel’s arrival, but she now was thinking only of his joining them. Elizabeth picked up her needlework as Georgiana sat erect in the chair, hands folded, and eyes to the door.

  When footsteps were heard approaching, it was quite apparent that it was not the Colonel. The dainty tread could only be Mrs. Reynolds. She stepped in with a tray of tea and cakes.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds,” Elizabeth said.

  “Call me if you need anything more.”

  The two ladies finally heard the unmistakeable sound of heavy boots hurrying down the staircase. Georgiana nervously knitted her fingers together and wore an expectant look on her face.

  When the Colonel stepped into the room, he braced his hands on his hips and looked. “Where is that cousin of mine? He always neglects me! Found something more important to do than be here to greet me?”

  “He is with Mr. Rollands visiting some of the tenants,” Elizabeth said. “He had hoped to be here when you arrived, but it must be taking longer than he had anticipated.”

  Fitzwilliam took a seat and clasped his hands behind his head. He stretched his legs out and casually leaned back. “Well, I much prefer the company of you two beautiful ladies to him any day!”

  Elizabeth smiled. “You are too kind, but I know my husband thinks very highly of you, and I suspect the feeling is mutual.”

  Fitzwilliam straightened his posture and leaned in towards the ladies. “That may be true,” he said slowly and deliberately. A smile appeared and he looked at Georgiana and winked. “But please, do not tell him I said so!”

  Elizabeth stole a glance at Georgiana, whose face was almost as crimson as the mums that filled a vase on the table. She could only wonder if Richard knew the effect he was having on his young cousin.

  They all turned when they heard the sound of the front door being opened and Darcy’s voice expressing thanks to his steward.

  “I believe my husband has returned!” Elizabeth said, quickly standing up.

  “Come along, imp,” Fitzwilliam said to Georgiana, his arm outstretched. “Shall we go out to greet him?”

  Georgiana quickly came to his side and took his arm, and they walked to the front door with Elizabeth leading the way.

  The steward nodded to the party as he left, while Darcy handed off his coat and gloves to a footman. When Darcy looked up, his face lit up upon seeing his cousin.

  “Fitzwilliam!” he said, walking over with his arm outstretched. “How are you?”

  “I am well, now that I am here!” He grasped his cousin’s hand and reached around him, slapping his back. “You are looking well. I suspect marriage agrees with you!”

  Darcy smiled. “Not marriage. Being married to Elizabeth agrees with me!” He came around and took Elizabeth’s hand. “As well as knowing I shall be a father in a few months.”

  Fitzwilliam waved his hand through the air and shook his head. “Hah! I can guarantee that being a father will age you more than anything else.” He let out a hearty laugh. “I am convinced my brother has aged twenty years in the five years he has had children!”

  “Well, our children shall have no such effect, I assure you,” Darcy declared. “Now, I am tired and hungry, and hope that dinner is about to be served. Shall we go?”

  *~*~*

  They chatted with each other while they dined and caught up on everything that had happened since they had last seen one another. They talked of what they would do the f
ollowing day, which was Michaelmas, and the delicious meal they would have. The two men agreed that a morning of hunting would be a perfect way to start off the day.

  When they finished eating, the two men spent some time alone in Darcy’s study, while the ladies entertained themselves in the parlour. The men returned about a half an hour later to join the ladies.

  At length, Darcy asked, “The evening is still young, Fitzwilliam. What will it be? Shall we have a go at some billiards?”

  “I thought you would never ask!”

  A soft voice said, “Do you mind if we watch?”

  The two men turned to Georgiana, their eyes wide. Richard then smiled and leaned toward her. In a conspiratorial tone he said, “Only if you promise to cheer for me!”

  Georgiana clasped her hands together. “Oh, you know I shall!”

  “Thank you, Georgie!” Darcy muttered. “I shall remember this!” Darcy gave one of her loose curls a quick tug and smiled. Turning to Elizabeth, he said, “Come, Elizabeth. You shall not defect to the other side, shall you?”

  “Of course not, dear. I would love to watch the two of you play.”

  “Good!”

  Elizabeth took her husband’s arm, and they followed the pair into the billiards room.

  As the two men began playing, Elizabeth could readily see how competitive they were when engaged in an activity such as this. Their friendly banter continued throughout the game, increasing with time. Fitzwilliam had a captivated audience in Georgiana, who giggled after each of his remarks.

  “Who taught you to play, Darcy? Your grandmother?”

  “Are you going blind, Fitzwilliam? You missed that by a mile!”

  “What do you do in your spare time, Darcy? Have you taken up knitting? I know you cannot be spending much time at billiards!”

  “You rely too much on luck, Fitzwilliam! What you need to learn is skill!”

  And on and on it went. Toward the end, however, when it was apparent that either of them could win with a single shot, the two men became silent. Their deliberation in taking aim replaced all talk. Muscles were taut and breathing was slow. Several different attempts at lining up the ball were examined. With the final shot, Darcy won the match.